Envelop-stamping machine.



E. E. FLEMING. ENVELOP STAMPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED .AUG.17, 1904.

PATBNTED DEC. 12, 1905.

2 SHEBTSSHEET 1.

witnesses I Jam/MT 94%;

No. 807,114. PATENTED DEC. 12, 1905.

E. E. FLEMING.

EN VELOP STAMPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 17, 1904.

2 SHEET8-BHEBT 2.

Inventor W: $1 .v '1 j z M Attorneys UNITE STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

EDWARD E. FLEMING, OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND.

ENVELOP-STAMPING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1905.

Application filed August 17, 1904:. Serial No. 221,055.

(whose post-office address is Mason and Dixon,

Pennsylvania,) have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelop-Stamping Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to machines for afiixing postage-stamps on envelops or packages, particularly to machines which detach and apply the stamps from sheets as issued by the Government and which have a holderfor the sheet or sheets of stamps and a carriage or slide carrying an envelop support and suitable stamp detaching and affixing devices adapted to be moved successively into position for utilizing one stamp after another. Amodern example of such a machine is illustrated, described, and claimed in my former patent, No. 767,269, dated August 9, 1904. Said machine as therein illustrated comprises, chiefly, a stamp-box for holding a sheet or sheets of stamps having a slot or opening at one end to permit the stamps to pass out; coacting rollers for feeding out a sheet of stamps, which sheet is fed out and utilized one row at a time; a carriage or slide carrying an envelop support, moistener, and cutter and plunger for detaching and affixing a stamp on the envelop or package, said carriage being movable to bring the stamps of each row successively within range of the envelop-support and cutter and plunger.

My present invention, which is generally applicable to machines of this character, provides the following improvements: First, the

carriage is spring-impelled to travel step by.

ing the stamps firmly or steadily during the operation of detaching and afiixing a stamp; fourth, in addition to the usual moistener for dampening the gum on the stamps means is also provided for moistening the gummed flaps of the envelop, while certain minor features of improvement are introduced, as hereinafter appearing.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, I have illustrated an envelop-stamping machine substantially similar to my aforesaid patented machine with my new improvements embodied therein.

A brief general description of the illustrated machine will first be given, using the same reference-letters employed in the aforesaid patent to indicate corresponding parts, after which my new improvements will be fully set forth, designating novel features by numerals, and the invention will then be defined in the annexed claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a cross-section thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section. Fig. 4c is a detail longitudinal section of the rod F and spring mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the Winding-drum to which the cord from the slide or carriage is connected, showing its inner ratchet. Fig. 6 shows a fragment of one end of the machine, showing the slide or carriage and the winding-drum.

The letter A designates the base of the machine; B B, standards rising therefrom; C C, arms extending from said standards to support the mechanism between them.

D denotes the inclined stamp-box, and E its removable cover, the lower end of the stampbox being open to allow a sheet of stamps to pass out. In Fig. 3, d is a strip hinged at cl at the lower front of the stamp-box and turned back down upon the lower edges of the sheets of stamps to prevent the several sheets from sliding down or out, only the uppermost sheet being allowed to pass over said strip OZ.

. The letter denotes a flap on the under side of the cover E to rest upon the sheet of stamps fed out and hold it steady.

F and G denote longitudinal rods connecting the standards or supports at opposite sides of the machine. H and I are similarly-disposed rods or bars, also connecting said supports and forming supporting-guides for thecarriage or slide K.

J J are coacting feed-rollers for feeding out the sheet of stamps onto slide K. The sheet the row of stamps on the slide K and yet enable the stamps to be seen by the operator.

M is the casing for the stamp detaching and affixing device, such as a cutter and plunger (not shown) operated by the plunger-rod P. This casing is mounted on the slide or carriage (here at the left-hand end) over a square hole or opening of sufiicient size to permit a stamp as it is detached from its sheet to be pressed by the plunger upon the envelop or package. V is a combined water-tank and envelop-support carried by the slide below the said opening. X is a moistening-roller resting in a slot or opening in said support and carried by a lever whose projecting front end is raised by the envelop as the envelop is shoved back on said support, so as to lift the roller which wipes over the corner of the envelop and moistens it to cause the stamp to adhere thereto.

The description thus far given answers also to the machine disclosed in my aforesaid patent except that the supporting-frame for the stamp-box (shown in said patent) is dispensed with and improved means is substituted for holding the stamp -box, as hereinafter explained. In operation the sheet of stamps is fed by rollers J so as to bring the lowermost rowof stamps onto the slide K. The slide is then moved a step, to the right in this instance, to bring the cutter and plunger over the first stamp of the row. The envelop to be stamped is pushed back on the envelop-support V, thus lifting the moistening-roller X out of the tank and causing it to wipe over the corner-surface of the envelop. Then the operator pushes down on the plunger P, thereby severing the stamp and pressing it upon the envelop. The slide is now moved another step to the right to bring the cutter and plunger over the second stamp, whereupon the same operation is repeated,or the second stamp is applied either to the same or another enthe improvements are susceptible of other embodiments and various modifications.

The slide or carriage K is connected by a cord or flexible connection 1 to a spring-actuated drum 2, adapted .under tension of its spring to wind up the cord in feeding the carriage step by step in one directionin this case from left to rightand to let out said cord while winding up the spring as the carriage is moved back to the left again or in position to begin utilization of a new row of stamps. The cord 1 is shown connected to the bottom of the carriage at the left and passing around little guide-pulleys 3 and 4 at the right of the' machine.

The carriage-spring 5, Fig. 4, is contained within the rod F, which is hollow or tubular for that purpose. It is a coiled torsional spring encircling an inner rod 6 and has one end connected, as at 7, to a standard B and its other end connected, as at 8, to said rod 6. V

The rod 6 is connected to the drum 2, so that when the carriage is moved to the left the drum as it is turned by the cord will turn said rod, and thus wind up the spring, while the force of the spring will reverse the turn of dog. 1t is obvious that when the drum is turned by the cord in pulling the carriage to the left the rod will be turned, by reason of the dog engaged by a ratchet-tooth, so as to wind the spring, while the reverse turn of the rod under force of the spring will turn the drum through the same connection. The rod, however, may be turned independently in a direction for winding the spring, and thus increasing the tension, for which purpose a handle or finger-piece 12is provided on the rod at the outer side of the drum.

For the purpose of feeding the carriage step by step only with proper movements for bringing the cutter and plunger over one stamp at a time a dog or catch 13 is shown pivoted at the left of the carriage adapted to engage notches 14 in the guideways I, said notches being spaced at distances corresponding to the widths of the stamps. Said dog has at the opposite side of its pivot a finger-piece or presser 15, with a tailpiece 16 to limit downward movement of the presser. The operator simply presses upon the presser 15 to release the dog or catch, and thus permit the carriage to move by force of its spring one step to the right, movement being limited by the dog or catch 13 engaging in the next notch 14.

Number 17 denotes a spring bearing on the dog or catch to keep it down on and insure its engagement in the notches 14. The dog 13 is shown carrying also an arm 18, which bears upon the left hand end of the perforated cover L and holds it pressed upon the stamps beneath it when the carriage is at rest, so that the stamp to be detached and applied to the envelop is held steady; but

when the'dog'or catch is raised from a notch to permit the carriage to move a step to the right the arm 18 is also raised therewith, thus releasing the row of stamps from under the cover Land, permitting the slide and cover to move onward while the stamps remain stationary. The cover L is of light sheet metal and rests very lightly upon the row of stamps,

except when pressed upon by the arm 18. The opposite end of said cover is fastened to the slide, as by the set-screw 19.

In using the machine it is understood that the sheet of stamps is fed out-from the stampbox by rollers J so as to cause the lowermost row to enter between the top of slide K and the plate or cover L, the front rib or shoulder is of the'slide forming a stop for the front edge of the row of stamps. Now as the slide I or carriage is moved step by step to bring the cutter and plunger successively over the stamps the row is held in proper position by the portion of the sheet within the stamp-box or gripped between the rollers J; but when the last row is fed onto the slide there is no such means for retaining it and there is liability of the stamps jarring out of position or away from the longitudinal shoulder A). To obviate this liability, alongitudinal strip or plate 20 is shown vertically disposed between the back of the slide and the feed-rollers and connected to a lever 21. Ordinarily the plate is depressed, so that the stamps can be fed overit from the feed-rollers; but when the last row of stamps is on the slide the operator can move the lever 21 to raise the plate 20, which will thus confine said row of stamps between it and shoulder is. By means of a teat 22 on standard B, adapted to engage a dentin lever 21, the said lever may be held in position to keep plate 20 raised when desired. Plate 20 is shown having a pivotal connection 23 to lever 21, by means of which it is upheld.

The stamp-box D is supported by rods F and G by means of curved fingers or projections 24 and 25 on the bottom of the stampbox, which take under said rods when the stamp-box is placed thereon and hold the box firmly to the rods. The stamp-box is support ed between projections or shoulders 26 on rod F, which insure placing it in proper relation to the slide or carriage. Thus the box is simply but firmly supported and is readily detachable.

The envelop-support and water-tank V have an auxiliary tank with a moistening-roller 27 therein whose upper surface is uncovered by an opening in the tank. A thin strip or spring 28 on the tank presses on the upper surface of the roller. The gummed flap of an envelop may be moistened for sealing by passing it over this roller under the finger 28, which combination with means for holding a sheet of presses it against the roller. The moisteningroller X is shown parallel with the slide K, so that it lifts and wipes over the surface of the envelop when pushed back on the envelop-support. The roller 27 is at right angles to roller X and is contained in a part of the tank projecting in front of the main tank or envelopsupport, which thus provides a very convenient means for moistening the envelop-flap.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1. An envelop-stamping machine having, in combination, a frame comprising a holder for a sheet of stamps, and guideways for a carriage along the front of said holder, a carriage supported by said guideways and carrying a stamp detaching and affixing device and adapt ed to move step by step for bringing said device successively in range of the stampsof a row, a drum having a flexible connection with said carriage, an actuatingspring for said drum adapted to be wound thereby when the carriage is moved from an advanced position back to initial'position and then to exertits force in reversing the drumto wind the flexible connection and thus impel the carriage step by step in an opposite direction, notches at intervals in one of said guideways spaced according to the widths of the stamps, and a spring-catch pivoted to the carriage and adapted to engage said notches to hold the carriage stationary at its successive positions and having a finger-piece for disengaging said catch from said notches to permit the movement of the carriage.

2. An en velop-stamping machine having, in combination, standards and guideways for a carriage connecting them, a stamp-box supported between said standards, acarriage traveling on said guideways carrying a stamp detaching and afiixing device, a hollow tube connecting said standards,.a rod therein, a torsional spring encircling said rod within said tube having one end connected to a standard and the other end connected to the rod, a drum on said rod having a flexible connection with said carriage, and a catch for holding the carriage in successive positions for operation of the stamp detaching and affixing device on successive stamps.

3. In an envelop-stamping machine, means for holding a sheet of stamps, a slide or carriage onto which a row of stamps is presented, a stamp detaching and affixing device carried by the carriage adapted to be brought within range of the stamps in succession, a top plate or cover on the carriage above the row of stamps, a spring for impelling the carriage, a catch for holding the carriage in its successive operative positions, and a presser carried by said catch adapted to press upon said top plate when thecarriage is at rest and to lift away therefrom when the catch is released to permit movement of the carriage.

4:. In an envelopstamping machine, the

stamps, of a slide carrying a stamp detaching and affixing device, means for feeding the sheet to place a row of stamps on said slide,

and a movable plate adapted to lift behind the slide to retain the last row of stamps thereon.

5. In an envelop-stamping machine, standards and longitudinally-disposed connectingrods, and a removable inclined stamp-box supported by said rods and having curved bottom fingers taking under said rods to hold the stamp-box firmly in place.

6. An envelop-stam ping machine having, in combination, an inclined stamp-box open at its lower edge to permit feeding out a row of stamps from a sheet in the box, a stamp detaching and aflixing device, and a carriage therefor adapted to move said device step by step along said edge of the box to engage the stamps of the out-fed row in succession, a spring impelling said carriage in one direction and adapted to be wound by the shifting back of the carriage, and a spring-pressed catch pivoted to the carriage and adapted to engage a series of notches along the path of movement and having a finger-piece for re leasing it.

7. In an envelop-stamping machine,astampsheet holder, a stamp detaching and applying device, a carriage, and carriageactuating mechanism comprising a rod having a torsional spring adapted to turn it in one direction, a drum on said rod and an intermediate ratchet adapted .to turn the drum with the rod in one direction and the rod with the drum in the opposite direction but to permit independent turning of the rod in the latter direction to adjust the tension of the spring, means for turning said rod independently to effect such adjustment, and connections between said drum and the carriage.

8. In an envelop-stamping machine, means for holding a sheet of stamps, a slideor carriage onto which a row of stamps is presented, a stamp detaching and aflixing device carried by the carriage adapted to be brought within range of the stamps in succession, a top plate or cover on the carriage adapted to rest upon the top of said row of stamps, and a springactuated presser adapted to press upon said top plate and having means for releasing it when the carriage is moved.

9. In an envelop-stamping machine,a frame having guideways for the carriage of a stampaflixing device and longitudinallydisposed rods, and an inclined stamp-box removably supported in proper relation to the carriage upon said rods and having curved bottom fingers taking under said rods.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD E. FLEMING. Witnesses:

EDWARD OsWALD, ELIAs B. HARTLE. 

